The United States has officially closed its country review of the Philippines with respect to labor rights under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
The DTI said the US Trade Representative issued a statement indicating the decision to close the review is “based on progress by the Philippine government in addressing worker rights issues in that country, including through reforms of labor laws and regulations.”
“The US acknowledges our initiatives towards creating decent jobs and upholding workers’ rights. The closing of the GSP country review on the Philippines is indeed a major milestone for Philippine trade and labor,” Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said.
The DTI said the GSP country review on Philippine labor standards and practices started in 2008 and focused on monitoring the country’s progress on labor-related issues and labor reform legislations.
The US GSP seeks to promote economic growth and development in developing countries through preferential and duty-free entry to the US market of products from 122 designated beneficiary countries and territories, including the Philippines.
It covers a total of 5,000 products or about 47 percent of the 10,600 total US tariff lines.
The DTI, however, said the trade benefits are tied to conditionalities which include intellectual property rights protection, upholding of workers’ rights, and protection against child labor.
“The list of GSP eligible countries and articles may be modified in response to a petition and based on the findings of the annual review,” the DTI said.
Philippine exports under the US GSP reached $1.27 billion in 2013, making it the fifth largest user of the program.
The GSP program includes most dutiable manufactures and semi-manufactures, and selected agricultural, fishery, and primary industrial products.
Products that are prohibited by law from receiving GSP treatment include most textiles, watches, footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves, leather apparel as well as other articles determined to be import-sensitive such as products of steel, glass, and electronics. –Richmond S. Mercurio, Philstar.com
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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